Congress of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) 2026; Paris, France

Conference: Congress of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) 2026;  Paris, France
May 25 – 30, 2026 

Presentation: The Politics of Reform: The Distributive Power of Institutional Change in the Brazilian Congress; How Do Voters Choose Their Candidates for Congress in Proportional Multiparty Systems? Evidence from a Conjoint Experiment

REPORT:

The purpose of this trip was to present research, receive scholarly feedback, expand professional networks, and advance my dissertation and publication agenda. During the Kellogg Pre-LASA Workshop, I presented How Do Voters Choose Their Candidates for Congress in Proportional Multiparty Systems? Evidence from a Conjoint Experiment, a study examining how voters navigate complex electoral environments and evaluate candidates in highly fragmented party systems. The workshop format provided extensive feedback on the theoretical framing, interpretation of results, and broader implications of the project for research on political behavior and democratic representation.

At the LASA Annual Congress, I presented The Politics of Reform: The Distributive Power of Institutional Change in the Brazilian Congress, which examines how procedural reforms redistribute power within legislatures and affect policymaking. I also participated in the workshop Threat or Blessing? The Strengthening of Legislatures in Latin America, organized by Paolo Sosa, where I presented a memo based on my dissertation prospectus. This workshop brought together scholars studying legislative power across the region and provided valuable feedback on the theoretical framework, case selection, and broader comparative implications of my dissertation project.

Beyond presenting research, the conference facilitated engagement with a broad community of scholars working on comparative politics, democratic representation, legislative studies, and Latin American politics. I attended the Kellogg Institute LASA Reception and other conference events, where I had the opportunity to connect with leading scholars in the field, including Tim Power, Carlos Gervasoni, and Wendy Hunter. These conversations provided valuable insights into ongoing research agendas, publication strategies, and future collaborative opportunities. I also strengthened relationships with scholars whose work closely relates to my dissertation on legislative empowerment in Latin America. These interactions helped increase the visibility of my research, expanded my professional network, and contributed to my development as an emerging scholar in comparative politics.